Tom Brady laments NFL 'dumbing the game down' for rookie QBs on Stephen A. Smith podcast

NFL teams have shown an increased willingness to start touted rookie quarterbacks in recent seasons.

Tom Brady doesn't necessarily believe that is in the best interest of the prospects or the game.

Brady lamented the expectations being thrust upon rookie quarterbacks in a recent appearance on "The Stephen A. Smith Show."

"I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early," Brady said, candidly. "But the reality is the only reason why they are is that we’ve dumbed the game down, which has allowed them to play."

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Tom Brady talks rookie QBs on Stephen A. Smith podcast

Brady further explained quarterback play and said the breaking down of a defense "used to be thought of at a higher level."

"We used to spend hours and hours in the offseason, in training camp, trying to be a little bit better the next year," Brady said. "But I think what happens is it discourages the coaches from going to deep levels because they realize the players don't have the opportunity to go to a deep level, so they're just going to teach them where they're at."

There is, of course, a reason for this. NFL coaches and front office staff are often on short leashes, so they face increased pressure to play their top-end draft picks early in their careers. That sometimes leads to raw, young signal-callers being granted a chance earlier than expected to help embattled decision-makers ward off job security questions.

It's also worth noting that having a starting quarterback on a cost-controlled rookie contract has become a strategic advantage at the NFL level. That has incentivized teams to seek out young starters and get them onto the field quickly to take advantage of their financial situations.

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That said, Brady believes it goes beyond the NFL. He thinks it starts at the college level, where NIL and transfer rule changes have greatly impacted the sport's landscape.

"There used to be college programs," Brady said. "Now, there are college teams. You're no longer learning a program, you're learning a playbook."

Brady detailed that his time at Michigan was critical in his development. He was part of a "pro-style program" and had to battle his way to the top of the depth chart.

"For five years, I got to learn how to drop back pass, to read defenses, to read coverages, to be coached," Brady said. "I had to learn from being seventh quarterback on the depth chart to moving up to third to ultimately being a starter. I had to learn all those things in college. That was development."

Brady credited the Patriots for continuing his development by allowing him to effectively redshirt during his rookie season. He served as the team's fourth quarterback, which bought him time to continue honing his craft.

Brady wants today's young quarterbacks to be granted similar opportunities. Instead, they are being thrown into the fire with mixed results.

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As long as the NFL's rookie salary scale remains intact, it's hard to imagine that changing any time soon.

But if any teams listen to Brady's advice, perhaps they will better prepare their young quarterbacks for action and reap the rewards of what has become a less prevalent strategy league-wide.